What is adhd in children and teens?

ADHD in Children and Teens
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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children: Overview

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have problems paying attention and focusing on tasks. They sometimes act without thinking. Some children also fidget or cannot sit still and have lots of energy. This common disorder can continue into adulthood.

The exact cause of ADHD is not clear, although it seems to run in families. ADHD is not caused by eating too much sugar or by food additives, allergies, or immunizations.

Medicines, counseling, and extra support at home and at school can help your child succeed. Your child's doctor will want to see your child regularly.

How safe are ADHD medicines for children?

Medicines for ADHD improve behavior and attention in many children who take them. But you'll need to watch your child carefully for side effects. Side effects usually decrease after a few weeks on the medicines. If your child is having bothersome side effects, talk to your child's doctor. The doctor may change the dosage or recommend a different medicine.

Be sure that medicine for ADHD is taken consistently. Keep track of the effects of the medicine, and communicate closely with your child's doctor.

Here are some other things to think about:

  • Stimulant medicines may be related to slower growth in children, especially in the first year of taking the medicine. But these medicines may not affect a child's final height as an adult. Your doctor will keep track of your child's growth and will watch for problems.
  • Some medicines used to treat ADHD (such as stimulants) can be misused. Make sure that your child knows not to sell or give medicine to other people. An adult should supervise the medicine.
  • Some parents worry that taking stimulants will increase their child's risk for developing a substance use disorder later in life. But research has shown that these medicines, when taken correctly, don't affect a child's risk for having problems with substance use later on.

How can you care for your teen who has ADHD?

Regular, open communication with your teen and your teen's teachers and doctors is the first step in helping your teen with ADHD to thrive. And being aware of what's happening in your teen's life will allow you to work together to solve problems that might occur.

The teen years present many challenges. These include more schoolwork and the need to be more attentive and organized. Making good decisions becomes more important during these years when peer pressure, sexuality, and other issues surface.

Work with your teen to create reasonable goals. And use the right consequences when goals aren't met. That may include losing privileges or having more chores at home. Allow your teen to help decide rewards when the goals are met.

ADHD: Helping your child get the most from school

Make sure to use treatment methods as recommended by your child's doctor. These may include medicine and/or behavior management techniques. They will help your child manage symptoms of ADHD at home and school. You may also help your child succeed in school by doing these things.

  • Educate yourself.

    Learning as much as you can about ADHD and your child's education rights will help you work with the school system more effectively.

    • Learn about ADHD. Go online to locate national organizations. Ask your doctor or visit your local library for information about ADHD.
    • Know your child's symptoms and treatment plan. Talk with your doctor about your child's behaviors that may interfere with learning and about ways to control those behaviors. Develop a record of your child's treatment plan.
    • Learn about your child's education rights. Laws exist that ensure education rights for children who have conditions that interfere with learning. These laws also state that parents have a right to be informed about and participate in educational decisions concerning their child. Contact your state and local education departments for information about ADHD in the schools and your rights to educational accommodations.
    • Talk with other parents of children with ADHD. Join a support group for ADHD families. Find out how others have effectively worked with school systems.
  • Build relationships.

    A positive relationship with teachers and other school staff will improve your child's chances of being successful in school.

    • Start early. Before a school year begins, get to know the principal and other appropriate school staff. Find out as much as you can about the school policies and rules, especially how behavior problems are handled. Find out if there are other children with ADHD in the school and how their behavior is being handled in the classroom.
    • Share what you have learned. Find out if the teachers and other staff need information about ADHD. Look for ways to help them get that information, such as suggesting books, pamphlets, or any local educational programs.
    • Get to know your child's teacher. Before the school year starts, talk with your child's teacher about the teacher's style of teaching and discipline in the classroom. Find out whether the teacher has experience teaching children who have ADHD. Share information about your child's symptoms and what behaviors may interfere with your child's ability to learn. You may want to share your child's treatment plan with the teacher.
    • Make a school plan. Work with the teacher to design a plan to help your child perform to your child's potential. Address how to minimize misbehavior and how to react to it. Your plan will change as your child grows and develops. You may need to work with the school to develop an individual education plan (IEP) for your child. An IEP is a tool for classroom and homework adaptations for a child with a disability. For children with milder symptoms, the school may suggest a plan that is used for medical conditions that do not meet the IEP standards (called a 504 plan).
    • Ask school staff for help when needed. Tutoring or services that help with study or organizational skills are sometimes provided through the school. If not, school staff often have a list of local resources that can help your child.
  • Keep communication open.

    Open communication with your child's teacher can help resolve problems that may occur throughout the school year. Here are a few ideas for working and communicating with your child's teacher:

    • Understand the demands upon your child's teacher. Most children with ADHD can be taught in a regular classroom, although adjustments are sometimes needed. Not all teachers are trained to do this. Also, teachers are stretched to their limits by large numbers of children in the classroom, making it hard to give each child personal attention. Ask the teacher what they need from you to help assimilate your child.
    • Keep the teacher informed. Share with the teacher any relevant changes in your child's treatment plan. Help facilitate the sharing of information among you, your child's teacher, and your child's doctor.
    • Visit the classroom. If possible, volunteer for school activities and parties. This will let the teacher know that you are interested in your child's education and are willing to help.
    • Request progress reports. Children with ADHD often lose or forget their assignments. Ask the teacher to complete regular progress reports of your child's performance and behavior.
    • Have a final conference. Meet with the teacher at the end of the school year to discuss your child's overall progress and the teacher's suggestions for the next year. Ask about possible teachers for the next year and how to help your child get the best chance for success in school.
  • Work with your child.
    • Keep your child involved. Let your child know that you support the teacher. Clearly outline your expectations and the consequences of misbehavior. Talk with your child about how the teacher will let your child know that a behavior is becoming inappropriate.
    • Link school and home. Use the same signals (such as hand signals) that the teacher uses at school to indicate when a behavior is becoming inappropriate. Also, you can reward your child with privileges for remembering to bring home school progress reports. You can further reward your child if the report is positive.
    • Help your child organize. Even young children can learn to use lists, daily planners, or calendars to keep up with homework assignments, tests, and activities. A young child may need a teacher's help in writing down assignments.
    • Have short sessions. Keep homework sessions to no more than 20 minutes without a break.
    • Use learning aids. Teach your child how to take notes and to underline important information. If your child seems to learn best visually, ask about books that have helpful pictures and diagrams or workbooks.
  • Keep good records.

    Health and school records can help monitor your child's academic and behavioral progress as well as help identify when treatment adjustments are needed. You should keep and update the following records:

    • ADHD evaluations. Collect copies of any records that are used to evaluate your child for ADHD. These records often identify the type of ADHD that your child has, which helps with treatment.
    • Evaluations for any other conditions with similar symptoms. Other conditions with symptoms similar to ADHD include learning disabilities, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and anxiety disorders.
    • History of medicines. Record all medicines that your child has taken or is taking to treat ADHD.
    • School progress records. Keep copies of any school plans, daily school progress reports, and formal progress reports throughout the year. Also, keep your child's final grades and any achievement test results. You may find them helpful as you develop school plans for the next year.
    • Individual education plan. If your school developed an individual education plan (IEP) for your child, ask for a copy. You may need to share that information with the health professionals who work with your child.

What is behavior therapy for ADHD?

Behavior therapy helps train parents, teachers, and other adults who are caring for a child with ADHD. It teaches adults to set routines and rules for behavior and then closely watch how a child responds. It uses techniques like rewards for good behavior and social skills training. It may also include individual and family counseling.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children: When to call

Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You feel your child cannot stop from hurting themself or someone else.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If your child talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

  • Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
  • Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
  • Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • Your child is having problems with behavior at school or with school work.
  • Your child has problems making or keeping friends.

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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.